Love in Action ("How to Fight Clean") Loyal Evangelical Church, Loyal OK

"All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." ~Jesus Christ, in Matthew 28:18-20

Loyal, OK

Pastor Leon Seaton

Love in Action ("How to Fight Clean")

Dr. J.B. Gambrel tells a story from General Stonewall Jackson's famous valley campaign. Jackson's army was on one side of a river, but needed to be on the other side.

Jackson told his engineers to plan and build a bridge so the army could cross, then he called his wagonmaster in and told him that it was urgent the wagon train cross the river as soon as possible.

The wagonmaster started gathering all the logs, rocks and fence rails he could find and built a bridge.

During the wee hours of the next day the wagonmaster told General Jackson that all the wagons and artillery had crossed the river. Jackson was astonished and asked where are the engineers and what are they doing?

The wagonmaster smiled and said, “They are in their tent drawing up plans for a bridge.” Pulpit Helps, May, 1991. Found at www.sermonillustation.com.

It’s time to stop planning our bridges and take action! Our church does a wonderful job of taking care of our own. But today we will look at how we can extend the ministry of this church in a new and exciting way!

Simply put, it is love in action!

Since I decided to love everyone completely, I have been amazed at the ministerial opportunities I have seen! People are really hurting out there, and they are looking for authentic godly love. Certainly we are to love our neighbors as ourselves. Not a problem.

We are to love other Christians. Not a problem.

But love our enemies? Hey, that can be a problem! Especially if they have hurt us time and time again. But love them we must!

“You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” -Jesus, Matthew 5:43-48

Then Joseph could no longer control himself before all his attendants, and he cried out, "Have everyone leave my presence!" So there was no one with Joseph when he made himself known to his brothers. And he wept so loudly that the Egyptians heard him, and Pharaoh's household heard about it.

Joseph said to his brothers, "I am Joseph! Is my father still living?" But his brothers were not able to answer him, because they were terrified at his presence.

Then Joseph said to his brothers, "Come close to me." When they had done so, he said, "I am your brother Joseph, the one you sold into Egypt! And now, do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you. For two years now there has been famine in the land and for the next five years there will not be plowing and reaping. But God sent me ahead of you to preserve for you a remnant on earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance.

“So then, it was not you who sent me here, but God. He made me father to Pharaoh, lord of his entire household and ruler of all Egypt. Now hurry back to my father and say to him, 'This is what your son Joseph says: God has made me lord of all Egypt. Come down to me; don't delay. You shall live in the region of Goshen and be near me--you, your children and grandchildren, your flocks and herds, and all you have. I will provide for you there, because five years of famine are still to come. Otherwise you and your household and all who belong to you will become destitute.'

“You can see for yourselves, and so can my brother Benjamin, that it is really I who am speaking to you. Tell my father about all the honor accorded me in Egypt and about everything you have seen. And bring my father down here quickly."

Then he threw his arms around his brother Benjamin and wept, and Benjamin embraced him, weeping. And he kissed all his brothers and wept over them. Afterward his brothers talked with him. Genesis 45:1-15

In Matthew Jesus taught us the principles of forgiveness, restoration, and true love. He taught us to pray for our enemies, for those that despitefully use us.

In Genesis we read how Joseph put those principles in place – many years before Jesus taught them.

When we read the scriptures it is easy to think, “Well sure, Jesus could do that. After all, He was God in the flesh.” Indeed, that is a valid point. However, Joseph practiced those principles about 1700 years before the birth of Christ.

Joseph did it BEFORE people could be converted and filled with the Holy Spirit. Prior to Jesus dying to pay the cost of redemption from sin, people could only sacrifice animals to put off punishment for sins. Prior to the ascension, the Holy Spirit came to people only for specific reasons, and the abiding presence of the Holy Spirit was not available as it is today.

Unger’s Bible Dictionary describes Joseph as follows: “He had the elements of a noble character – piety, pure and high morality, simplicity, gentleness, fidelity, patience, perseverance, an iron will, and an indomitable energy.”

When he was a teenager he made the mistake of bragging about what God was going to do through him. Some things that God tells us we should keep to ourselves! Unfortunately his dad, Isaac, complicated Joseph’s life by letting him be the favorite son. He went so far as to make him a special coat. Sure enough, his brothers, children of another wife, were angry and bitter toward him. While they were half-brothers, they were true enemies.

They finally plotted against him; selling him into Egyptian slavery. In the natural, Joseph had every reason to hate them and desire to hurt them. But he chose not to!

We need to make those same choices. I suspect that part of my motivation in preparing this message comes from my struggles to understand all of the mud-slinging that takes place during the political process – and the feuding and fussing that some churches do. Why do we do that?

How did Jesus spread His message? How was the early church able to spread the gospel and turn the world upside down, as was complained about the church in Acts?

I think I have discovered the secret. Jesus always walked in love. He always wanted people to turn from sin and turn to God. The scriptures tell us that God is not willing for anyone to perish and for all to come to repentance – so Jesus walked in love for all of mankind!

Jesus only had one enemy – Satan – and He was certainly not terrified of him. Jesus knew from day one who would win this spiritual battle! It would not be the devil. However, Jesus did acknowledge the fact that every day was a spiritual battle against the forces of evil. He told us to take up our cross daily and follow Him.

What does it mean to walk in love?

If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.

It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.

Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.

It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

Love never fails. 1 Corinthians 13:1-8a

I know this is radical. But what would happen if the political candidates ran their campaigns based on love as described above? They would be gentle and kind, they would give credit where credit is due, so if the opposition came up with a good idea they would embrace it rather that try to discredit the opposition so that the idea is lost in the verbal exchanges!

What if every Christian sought ways to point out the strengths of those around them at all times?

Now understand, this attitude would not make us doormats that everyone could walk on. Not at all! Jesus taught a powerful doctrine; His acts of love upset the opposition and they did everything they could think of to destroy them. But Jesus never stopped loving them!

Stephen was one of the first deacons. He was also one of the first martyrs in the early church. Why? He spoke the truth – in love – and they stoned him to death.

Prior to his conversion and the infilling of the Holy Spirit, Peter was all over the place spiritually. He walked on water. He spoke for God the Father, then in just a few moments spoke for the devil! (“Get thee behind Me, Satan!”)

When Jesus was arrested, Peter cut off a guard’s ear, and then before the night was over he denied Jesus three times.

But, wow! When he was filled with the Spirit he became a powerhouse for God! Tradition tells us that he requested to be crucified upside down because he was not worthy to be crucified as Jesus was!

St. Paul was a real rascal before his conversion, but afterwards, he was always very gentle and loving – even though some of his teachings are a little difficult for some of us to accept.

But let’s go back to Joseph. Joseph had the gift of total forgiveness. Even though his brothers sold him into slavery, Joseph never lost his dream or his integrity. In the end he was the #2 man in Egypt. Only Pharaoh was more powerful than he was.

Now he did give his brothers a hard time when they first came to Egypt! Apparently he wanted to know if they could really be trusted. It is an amazing story and if you have not read it lately it is worth your time. (Genesis 40-47)

Finally Joseph could wait no longer. He called his brothers in the room, and asked everyone else to leave. This included the man that had been interpreting for Joseph and the brothers. The interpreter had no idea that Joseph could speak Hebrew.

Joseph then told his brothers that he was the one they sold into slavery. He kept it quiet for two reasons, according to R. T. Kendall. First, he did not want to embarrass them. Secondly, because the Egyptians loved Joseph so much they probably would have hurt the brothers for what they did to their hero!

This helps us better understand what God meant when he said, “Vengeance is Mine, says the Lord, I will repay.” (Romans 12:19, KJV)

Words to Live By

Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.

Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another.

Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited. Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.

Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is Mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord. On the contrary: "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head."**

Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. Romans 12:9-21

Sincerely, Pastor Leon

** "To heap coals of fire on the enemy's head is to 'melt them into repentance.' The New Living Translation states, '...and they will be ashamed of what they have done to you.' The Egyptian ritual showing repentance has the guilty person carry a basin of glowing coals on his head."

April 20, 2008